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Table 4 Potential determinants of maternal erythrocyte omega-3 index and n-6/n-3, AA/EPA and LA/DGLA ratios

From: Low omega-3 index values and monounsaturated fatty acid levels in early pregnancy: an analysis of maternal erythrocytes fatty acids

Variable

Index

Ratio

IOM3

n-6/n-3

AA/EPA

LA/DGLA

Age (years)

r = 0.19

r = −0.16

r = − 0.19

r = − 0.29

Gestational age (weeks)

r = 0.25

r = − 0.27

r = 0.06

r = − 0.01

Parity

 Nulliparous

5.52 ± 1.08

4.50 ± 1.08

37.9 ± 17.7

5.95 ± 1.46

 Primiparous

5.89 ± 1.67

4.40 ± 1.41

32.4 ± 16.6

5.97 ± 1.56

 Multiparous

5.86 ± 2.00

4.54 ± 1.61

34.8 ± 16.8

5.53 ± 1.38

BMI class (kg/m2)

  < 25

5.61 ± 1.45

4.57 ± 1.41

35.3 ± 17.9

5.74 ± 1.47

 25–30

6.13 ± 1.99

4.22 ± 1.36

31.7 ± 15.5

5.98 ± 1.47

 ≥ 30

5.96 ± 1.25

4.21 ± 1.01

36.8 ± 13.1

5.91 ± 1.57

Nationality

 Belgian

5.52 ± 1.50

4.59 ± 1.30

31.6 ± 12.1

5.48 ± 1.32

 Other

6.12 ± 1.67

4.25 ± 1.43

38.1 ± 20.9

6.26 ± 1.55

Level of education

 Low

5.70 ± 1.83

4.63 ± 1.54

37.2 ± 19.5

5.95 ± 1.47

 High

5.93 ± 1.14

4.13 ± 0.93

29.9 ± 9.81

5.61 ± 1.46

Smoking status

 Non-smoker

5.93 ± 1.61

4.33 ± 1.36

34.6 ± 17.1

5.87 ± 1.49

 Smoker

4.68 ± 1.04

5.26 ± 1.15

33.7 ± 14.7

5.42 ± 1.28

Physical activity

    

 Yes

6.39 ± 1.68

3.95 ± 1.15

28.9 ± 12.8

5.89 ± 1.68

 No

5.54 ± 1.51

4.64 ± 1.40

36.7 ± 17.8

5.80 ± 1.39

n-3 PUFA supplement use

 Yes

6.07 ± 1.51

4.21 ± 1.47

31.4 ± 17.8

5.76 ± 1.33

 No

5.69 ± 1.63

4.52 ± 1.33

35.5 ± 16.5

5.84 ± 1.52

EPA supplement intake (mg/day)

r = 0.03

r = − 0.01

r = − 0.08

r = − 0.14

DHA supplement intake (mg/day)

r = 0.60

r = − 0.70

r = − 0.67

r = − 0.33

  1. Data are presented as mean ± SD or as Pearson correlation coefficient
  2. Bold font indicates P-values less than 0.05